Cyclopentadiene derivatives, method for preparing, and use thereof

ABSTRACT

Cyclopentadiene derivatives, method for preparing cyclopentadiene derivatives, and use of cyclopentadiene derivatives in curable binder compositions.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 300,786, filed on Sept. 10, 1981 and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,088.

DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention is directed to certain new cyclopentadiene derivatives which are useful in binder compositions. Such compositions are curable at normal room temperatures. The compositions are capable of being cured at normal room temperatures by a gaseous curing agent or an acidic catalyst incorporated into the binder. The compositions of the present invention are particularly useful as foundry binders. The present invention is also directed to a method for preparing certain derivatives of cyclopentadiene.

2. Background Art

In the foundary art, cores and molds used in making metal castings are generally prepared from shaped, cured mixtures of aggregate material (e.g., sand) and a binder. One of the preferred techniques of making these sand cores includes the basic steps of mixing the sand with a resin binder and a curing catalyst, molding the mixture to the desired shape and allowing it to cure and solidify at room temperature without the application of heat. Resins useful in this technique include the furfuryl alcohol-formaldehyde, furfuryl alcohol-urea-formaldehyde, and alkyd isocyanate resins as well as sodium silicate binders. Such technique is commonly referred to as a "no bake" process.

Another technique employed includes the basic steps of mixing the aggregate with a resin binder, molding the mixture to the desired shape, and curing the shape by passing a gaseous catalyst through it. This technique is often referred to as the "cold box" method. Binders which are suitable for use in such processes must possess a number of important characteristics. For instance, the binders must be capable of providing relatively high strength characteristics to the molded article and must be capable of curing to a considerable degree at normal room temperatures. Also, since curing of the binders occurs while as a thin layer of film on the aggregate and the aggregate can act as a heat sink, the curing does not necessarily proceed in the same manner as when the binder is cured in bulk. In addition, foundry cores and molds must retain the strength properties until the metal solidifies in the mold, but must lose such properties due to their exposure at higher temperatures so that after solidification of the metal, the cores or molds can readily be broken down for shake-out or removal from the casting. Accordingly, providing new binders for foundry applications which contain the necessary properties is quite difficult. This problem is made more acute when the object is a relatively inexpensive binder.

It has also been discovered that fulvenes and/or fulvene prepolymers could be employed as binders for foundry applications as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,167 entitled "Foundry Binder Composition" to Grimm, et al., and assigned to Ashland Oil, Inc., the assignee of the present application. However, the use of fulvenes has not been entirely satisfactory since such are somewhat susceptible to degradation from atmospheric oxygen and have an unpleasant odor.

The present invention provides a process for preparing certain derivatives of cyclopentadiene and/or of methyl substituted cyclopentadiene. The present invention is also concerned with novel derivatives of cyclopentadiene and/or of methyl substituted cyclopentadiene which can be produced by the process of the present invention. The present invention is also concerned with the use of certain derivatives of cyclopentadiene and/or of methyl substituted cyclopentadiene in binder compositions and especially foundry binder compositions. The derivatives of cyclopentadiene and/or of methyl cyclopentadiene have improved resistance to atmospheric oxygen, and reduced odor as compared to the fulvenes discussed hereinabove.

The present invention is concerned with a method for preparing cyclopentadiene derivatives having two exocyclic groups ##STR1## The process includes reacting cyclopentadiene or monomethyl substituted cyclopentadiene with an aldehyde or preferably a ketone of the formula: ##STR2## Each R₇ and R₈ is as defined hereinbelow. This stage is carried out in the presence of a basic catalyst. The product of the above reaction is reacted with additional aldehyde or preferably ketone. The additional aldehyde or ketone is preferably represented by the formula: ##STR3## Each R₁ and R₂ is as defined hereinbelow.

The present invention is also concerned with cyclopentadiene derivatives having the following formula: ##STR4##

Each R₁ and R₂ individually is preferably a hydrocarbon containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon containing one or more oxygen bridges, or a furyl group; or are interconnected and together with the carbon atom to which they are connected form a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group, or one of R₁ or R₂ is hydrogen. Each R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ individually is hydrogen or methyl or ##STR5## provided that one such R₃, R₄, R₅ or R₆ is ##STR6## and further provided that only a maximum of one such R₃, R₄, R₅ or R₆ is methyl. Each R₇ and R₈ individually is a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon group containing one or more oxygen bridges, or are interconnected and together with the carbon atom to which they are connected form a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group, or one of R₇ or R₈ is hydrogen. In addition, at least one of the groups R₇ and R₈ differs from R₁ and R₂, when both R₁ and R₂ are methyl.

The present invention is also directed to a curable composition which includes a cyclopentadiene derivative of the type discussed hereinabove, and/or a prepolymer thereof; and an acidic catalyst. The acidic catalyst has a pKa of about 4 or less. The acidic catalyst is incorporated into the composition prior to molding or is provided by passing a gas through the molded composition.

The present invention is also concerned with molding compositions which include a major amount of aggregate and an effective bonding amount up to about 40% by weight of the aggregate of the above-defined curable composition.

The present invention is also directed to a process for the fabrication of molded articles which includes the following steps:

(a) mixing aggregate with a bonding amount up to about 40% by weight based upon the weight of the aggregate of a binder composition of the type described hereinabove which contains the acidic catalyst;

(b) introducing the composition obtained from step (a) into a pattern;

(c) hardening the composition in the pattern to become self-supporting; and

(d) thereafter removing the shaped article of step (c) from the pattern and allowing it to further cure, thereby obtaining a hardened, solid, cured, molded article.

The present invention is also concerned with a process for the fabrication of molded articles which comprises:

(a) mixing the aggregate with a bonding amount up to about 40% by weight based upon the weight of the aggregate of a cyclopentadiene derivative of the type discussed hereinabove;

(b) introducing the composition obtained from step (a) into a pattern;

(c) hardening the composition in the pattern to become self-supporting by passing an acidic gas through the composition; and

(d) thereafter removing the shaped article of step (c) from the pattern and allowing it to further cure, thereby obtaining a hardened, solid, cured, molded article.

The present invention is also concerned with a process for casting a metal which includes fabricating a shape as described hereinabove, pouring metal while in the liquid state into or around the shape, allowing the metal to cool and solidify, and then separating the molded metal article.

Best and Various Modes for Carrying out the Invention

The cyclopentadiene derivatives of the present invention are presented by the formula: ##STR7##

Each R₁ and R₂ individually is a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms such as an alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl groupl or a furyl group; or are interconnected and together with the carbon atom to which they are connected form a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group or a hydrocarbon group containing one or more oxygen bridges in the chain containing up to 10 carbon atoms; or one of R₁ or R₂ is hydrogen.

The hydrocarbon groups can be free from non-benzenoid unsaturation or can include ethylenic unsaturation. Examples of some hydrocarbon groups include alkyl groups, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, amyl and butyl; aryl groups, such as phenyl and naphthyl; alkaryl groups, such as benzyl; aralkyl groups; and ethylenically unsaturated groups, such as vinyl. Examples of some cyclic groups include cycloaliphatic groups, such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl.

Preferably at least one of R₁ and R₂ is methyl and the other is an alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Most preferably, both R₁ and R₂ are methyl. Each R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ individually is hydrogen or methyl or ##STR8## provided that one such R₃, R₄, R₅ or R₆ is ##STR9## and further provided that a maximum of only one such R₃, R₄, R₅ or R₆ is methyl. Each R₇ and R₈ individually is a hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon group containing one or more oxygen bridges in the chain containing up to 10 carbon atoms, or are interconnected and together with the carbon atom to which they are connected form a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group, or one of R₇ or R₈ is hydrogen and at least one of R₇ and R₈ differs from R₁ and R₂ when both R₁ and R₂ are methyl. Preferably at least one of R₇ and R₈ differs from R₁ and R₂. Preferably R₄ or R₅ is ##STR10## It is also preferred that three of R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ groups are hydrogen. The preferred R₇ and R₈ groups are alkyl, more preferably at least one R₇ and R₈ is methyl. In addition, if excess aldehyde or ketone is employed in the preparation the product could contain compounds wherein R₄ or R₅ can have the structure: ##STR11##

In such a case, R₃ and R₆ will be as previously described. An example of one isomer of the above can be represented by the structure: ##STR12## wherein one of R₄ or R₅ is ##STR13## and wherein the remaining R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈ are as defined above.

Examples of some fulvenes from which the cyclopentadiene derivatives can be derived are dimethylfulvene (R₁ and R₂ are methyl; and R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are H); methylisobutylfulvene (R₁ is methyl; R₂ is isobutyl; R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are H); methylphenylfulvene (R₁ is phenyl; R₂ is methyl; R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are H); cyclohexylfulvene (R₁ and R₂ are interconnected and form a cyclohexyl ring with the common carbon atom to which they are connected; R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ are H);

Fulvenes have been known for many years as well as their method of preparation. Also, it has been known that fulvenes polymerize in the presence of acids. Fulvenes can be prepared by reacting a carbonyl compound (e.g., - ketones and aldehydes) with cyclopentadiene and/or methylcyclopentadiene in the presence of a basic catalyst, such as a strong base (e.g., KOH), an amine, and basic ion exchange resins. Suggestions of methods for preparing fulvenes can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,589,969; 3,051,765; and 3,192,275. Fulvenes can be purified by distillation according to a method by Kice, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 80, 3792 (1958), and the method of McCaine, J. Chem. Soc. 23, 632 (1958).

The cyclopentadiene derivatives of the present invention can be prepared by reacting a fulvene of the formula: ##STR14## wherein each R₇ ' and R₈ ' is the same as R₇ and R₈ respectively as defined hereinabove. Each R₃ ', R₄ ', R₅ ' and R₆ ' individually is hydrogen or methyl provided that a maximum of only one such R₃ ', R₄ ', R₅ ' and R₆ ' is methyl, and, in addition, if excess aldehyde or ketone is employed in the preparation of the fulvene, R₄ ' or R₅ ' can have the structure: ##STR15##

In such a case, R₃ and R₆ will be as previously discussed.

The fulvene can be prepared by reacting cyclopentadiene or methylcyclopentadiene with a carbonyl compound from the group of aldehyde or ketone in the presence of a basic catalyst. The preferred carbonyl compounds have 1 to 8 carbon atoms and more preferably are ketones having a hydrogen on the alpha carbon atom, and most preferably are ketones with at least one methyl group. The reaction is generally carried out at temperatures of about 40°-90° C. and preferably at about 50°-80° C. Examples of some basic catalysts include: strong bases (e.g. KOH), an amine, and basic ion exchange resins. Suggestions of methods for preparing fulvenes can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,589,969; 3,051,765; and 3,192,275. Suggestions of preparing fulvene polymers can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,512,698; 2,587,791; 2,898,325 and 3,390,156. The amount of catalyst employed is usually about 20 to about 50 mole percent based on the moles of cyclopentadiene or methylcyclopentadiene used.

About stoichiometric amounts (e.g.--a maximum of about a 10% excess of either reactant) is usually employed. The reaction is preferably carried out in an alcoholic solution. The reaction usually takes about 0.5 to about 3 hours. The amount of diluent (e.g. alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, butanols, and amyl alcohol) is usually about 50 to about 150 ml per mole of cyclopentadiene or methylcyclopentadiene. The preferred alcohols employed have three or more carbon atoms. Most preferably a mixture of methanol with such higher alcohols having three or more carbon atoms is employed.

The reaction product from the above type of reaction (i.e.--the fulvene) is then reacted with a carbonyl compound (e.g.--ketone or aldehyde) preferably containing up to 6 carbon atoms in any chain connected to the carbonyl group. This reaction is also carried out in the presence of a basic catalyst of the type discussed hereinabove employed to prepare the fulvenes. Examples of some carbonyl compounds are acetone, methylethyl ketone, and methylisobutyl ketone. The preferred carbonyl compounds have 1-8 carbon atoms and more preferably are ketones with at least one methyl group. The most preferred ketone is acetone. This reaction is generally carried out at temperatures of about 40°-90° C. and preferably at about 60°-80° C. About stoichiometric amounts (e.g.--about a maximum of a 10% excess of either reactant) are usually employed. However, when acetone is used as the only carbonyl compound in both stages of the process, at least about 2 times the stoichiometric amount (i.e. 4 moles per mole of cyclopentadiene or methylcyclopentadiene) of acetone is preferably employed. And more preferred at least about 3 times, and most preferred about 3 to about 5 times the stoichiometric amount is employed. This reaction is preferably carried out in an alcoholic solution. The reaction usually takes about 5 to about 24 hours. The amounts of catalyst and diluent are usually within the same range as those amounts employed in preparing the fulvene.

By following the above process, a mixture containing about 30-60% of the desired disubstituted cyclopentadiene derivative can be obtained.

The disubstituted cyclopentadiene derivatives are especially useful in binder compositions and particularly foundry binder compositions. In such compositions the derivatives can be employed and/or prepolymers thereof can be used provided they still contain sufficient unsaturation (e.g.--at least about 50% of the initial unsaturation of the disubstituted derivative) for subsequent curing to provide the needed strength characteristics and properties for molded articles, and especially for foundry shapes, and are still fluid enough so that when applied either per se or in admixture with the diluents will flow to coat the aggregate used. Mixtures of the disubstituted cyclopentadiene derivatives and/or of said prepolymers can be used.

In addition, the binder composition of the present invention contains an acidic catalyst. The acid catalysts employed have a pKa value of about 4 or less and include organic acids such as formic acid, oxalic acid, and the organic substituted sulfonic acids such as benzenesulfonic acid and toluenesulfonic acid, and Lewis acids such as BF₃. The acid catalyst can be provided in the foundry mix before molding (e.g.--"no bake" process), and/or by passing a gas through the molded composition such as an acid per se or a gas such as SO₂ which in conjunction with a component of the molded composition (e.g. a peroxide) forms an acid in situ.

The acid when already in the mix prior to molding is generally present in amounts up to a maximum of about 3% by weight based upon the amount of binder employed. The minimum amount of acidic catalyst is usually about 0.8 percent based upon the amount of binder employed. When employing a "cold box" process usually up to about 5 seconds of gassing time is sufficient.

The disubstituted cyclopentadiene derivatives and/or prepolymers thereof can be employed in combination with fulvenes of the type discussed hereinabove, and/or with furfuryl alcohol and/or furan prepolymer foundry binder systems, and/or epoxy polymers.

The furan prepolymers include reaction products of furfuryl alcohol and of aldehydes such as formaldehyde. In addition, the aldehyde-furfuryl alcohol reaction product can be modified with varying amounts of reactants such as urea. The mole ratios of formaldehyde to furfuryl alcohol which can be employed can vary widely. For instance, the furan polymer can be prepared from about 0.4 to about 4 moles of furfuryl alcohol per mole of formaldehyde, and preferably from about 0.5 to about 2 moles of furfuryl alcohol per mole of formaldehyde.

The furan polymer which can be employed in the present invention can be any of the various furan polymers which are known to be suitable for molding and especially foundry purposes. Examples of such furan polymers include those obtained from about 1 mole of urea, about 0.2 to 2 moles of furfuryl alcohol and about 1 to 3 moles of formaldehyde such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,222,315 and 3,247,556. Other suitable furan polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,346,534. The furan polymers are usually prepared by polymerization in the presence of an acid catalyst. Usually when a furan polymer is employed, it is added together with furfuryl alcohol.

Examples of suitable epoxy polymers include epoxidized novolak polymers, glycidyl ethers of a polynuclear dihydric phenol, and reaction products thereof with polymers terminated with reactive groups. Preferably the epoxides employed are liquid. The preferred types of epoxy polymers are the polyepoxides of epichlorohydrin and bisphenol-A, i.e., 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl) propane. Other suitable epoxies as stated hereinabove include those obtained by reacting a polynuclear dihydric phenol with haloepoxy alkane in general.

Suitable polynuclear dihydric phenols can have the formula: ##STR16## wherein Ar is an aromatic divalent hydrocarbon such as naphthalene and, preferably, phenylene, A and A₁ which can be the same or different are alkyl radicals, preferably having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atoms, e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, or alkoxy radicals, preferably having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, x and y are integers having a value 0 to a maximum value corresponding to the number of hydrogen atoms on the aromatic radical (Ar) which can be replaced by substituents and R' is a bond between adjacent carbon atoms as in dihydroxydiphenyl or is a divalent radical including, for example: ##STR17## --O--, --S--, --SO₂ -- and --S--S-- and divalent hydrocarbon radicals, such as alkylene, alkylidene, cycloaliphatic, e.g., cycloalkylene, halogenated, alkoxy or aryloxy substituted alkylene, alkylidene and cycloaliphatic radicals as well as aromatic radicals including halogenated, alkyl, alkoxy or aryloxy substituted aromatic radicals and a ring fused to an Ar group; or R' can be polyalkoxy, or polysiloxy, or two or more alkylidene radicals separated by an aromatic ring, a tertiary amino group, an ether linkage, a carbonyl group or a sulfur containing group such as sulfoxide, and the like.

Examples of specific dihydric polynuclear phenols include, among others, the bis-(hydroxyphenyl) alkanes such as 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, bis-(2-hydroxyphenyl) methane, bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) methane, bis-(4-hydroxy-2, 6-dimethyl-3-methoxyphenyl) methane, 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 1,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxy-2-chlorophenyl) ethane, 1,1-bis-(3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, 2,2-bis-(3-phenyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, 2,2-bis(2-isopropyl-5-hydroxyphenyl) propane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxynaphthyl) pentane, bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) phenylmethane, bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexylmethane, 1,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenyl propane; di(hydroxyphenyl) sulfones such as bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfone, 2,4' dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, 5'-chloro-2,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, and 5'-chloro-2,2'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, and 5'-chloro-4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone; di(hydroxyphenyl) ethers such as bis-(4-dihydroxyphenyl) ether, the 4,3'-, 4,2'-, 2,2'-, 3,3'-, 2,3'-, dihydroxydiphenyl ethers, 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethyldiphenyl ether, bis-(4-hydroxy-3-isobutylphenyl) ether, bis-(4-hydroxy-3-isopropylphenyl) ether, bis-(4-hydroxy-3-chlorophenyl) ether, bis-(4-hydroxy-3-fluorophenyl) ether, bis-(4-hydroxy-3-bromophenyl) ether, bis-(4-hydroxynaphthyl) ether, bis-(4-hydroxy-3-chloronaphthyl) ether, bis-(2-hydroxydiphenyl) ether, 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxydiphenyl ether, and 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,5-diethoxydiphenyl ether.

The preferred dihydric polynuclear phenols are represented by the formula: ##STR18## wherein A and A₁ are as previously defined, x and y have values from 0 to 4 inclusive and R₁ is a divalent saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, particularly alkylene and alkylidene radicals having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and cycloalkylene radicals having up to and including 10 carbon atoms. The most preferred dihydric phenol is bisphenol-A, i.e., 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl) propane.

The halo-epoxy alkane can be represented by the formula: ##STR19## wherein X is a halogen atom (e.g., chlorine and bromine), each R₂ individually is hydrogen or alkyl group of up to 7 caron atoms; wherein the number of carbon atoms in any epoxy alkyl group generally totals no more than 10 carbon atoms.

While glycidyl ethers, such as derived from epichlorohydrin, are particularly preferred, the epoxy polymers containing epoxy-alkoxy groups of a greater number of carbon atoms are also suitable. These are prepared by substituting for epichlorohydrin such representative corresponding chlorides or bromides of monohydroxy epoxyalkanes as 1-chloro-2, 3-epoxybutane, 2-chloro-3, 4-epoxybutane, 1-chloro-2-methyl-2, 3-epoxypropane, 1-bromo-2, 3-epoxypentane, 2-chloromethyl-1, 2-epoxybutane, 1-bromo-4-ethyl-2, 3-epoxypentane, 4-chloro-2-methyl-2, 3-epoxypentane, 1-chloro-2, 3-epoxyoctane, 1-chloro-2-methyl-2, 3-epoxyoctane, or 1-chloro-2, 3-epoxydecane.

The epoxidized novolaks can be represented by the formula: ##STR20## wherein n is at least about 0.2; E is hydrogen or an epoxyalkyl group, at least two E groups per polymer molecule being an epoxyalkyl group and wherein the epoxyalkyl group is represented by the formula: ##STR21## R₃ is hydrogen or alkyl or alkylene or aryl or aralkyl or alkaryl or cycloalkyl or furyl group; each R₂ individually is hydrogen or alkyl group of up to 7 carbon atoms; wherein the number of carbon atoms in any epoxyalkyl group totals no more than 10 carbon atoms; each X and Y is indivdually hydrogen or chlorine or alkyl or hydroxyl; each R₄ individually is hydrogen or chlorine or a hydrocarbon group. Preferably, substantially all of the E groups are epoxyalkyl groups. Generally R₃, X, Y, and R₄ when hydrocarbons, contain no more than about 12 carbon atoms.

The epoxy novolaks can be prepared by known methods by the reaction of a thermoplastic phenolic-aldehyde polymer of a phenol having the formula: ##STR22## wherein X, Y and R₄ have the meaning as defined above with a halo-epoxy alkane of the formula: ##STR23## wherein X is a halogen atom (e.g., chlorine, bromine, and the like) and R₂ have the same meanings as defined hereinabove.

Hydrocarbon-substituted phenols having two available positions ortho or para to a phenolic hydroxy group for aldehyde condensation to provide polymers suitable for the preparation of epoxy novolaks include o- and p-cresols, o- and p-ethyl phenols, o-and p-isopropyl phenols, o- and p-sec-butyl phenols, o- and p-amyl phenols, o- and p-octyl phenols, o- and p-nonyl phenols, 2,5-xylenol, 3,4-xylenol, 2,5-diethyl phenol, 3,4-diethyl phenol, 2,5-diisopropyl phenol, 4-methyl resorcinol, 4-ethyl resorcinol, 4-isopropyl resorcinol, 4-tertbutyl resorcinol, o- and p-benzyl phenols, o- and p-phenethyl phenols, o- and p-phenyl phenols, o- and p-tolyl resorcinol, and 4-cyclohexyl resorcinol.

Various chloro-substituted phenols which can also be used in the preparation of phenol-aldehyde resins suitable for the preparation of the epoxy novolaks include o- and p-chlorophenols, 2,5-dichloro phenol, 2,3-dichloro phenol, 3,4-dichloro phenol, 2-chloro-3-methyl phenol, 2-chloro-5-methyl phenol, 3-chloro-2-methyl phenol, 5-chloro-2-methylphenol, 3-chloro-4-methyl phenol, 4-chloro-3-methyl phenol, 4-chloro-3-ethyl phenol, 4-chloro-3-isopropyl phenol, 3-chloro-4-phenyl phenol, 3-chloro-4-chlorophenyl phenols, 3,5-dichloro-4-methyl phenol, 3,5-dichloro-2-methyl phenol, 2,3-dichloro-5-methyl phenol, 2,5-dichloro-3-methyl phenol, 3-chloro-4, 5-dimethyl phenol, 4-chloro-3, 5-dimethyl phenol, 2-chloro-3, 5-dimethyl phenol, 5-chloro-2, 3-dimethyl phenol, 5-chloro-3, 4-dimethyl phenol, 2,3,5-trichloro phenol, 3,4,5-trichloro phenol, 4-chloro resorcinol, 4,5-dichloro resorcinol, 4-chloro-5-methyl resorcinol, and 5-chloro-4-methyl resorcinol.

Typical phenols which have more than two positions ortho or para to a phenolic hydroxy group available for aldehyde condensation and which, by controlled aldehyde condensation, can also be used are: phenol, m-cresol, 3,5-xylenol, m-ethyl and m-isopropyl phenols, m,m'-diethyl and m,m'-diisopropyl phenols, m-butyl-phenols, m-amyl phenols, m-octyl phenols, m-nonyl phenols, resorcinol, 5-methyl-resorcinol, and 5-ethyl resorcinol.

As condensing agents any aldehyde may be used which will condense with the particular phenol being used, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, heptaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and alkyl-substituted benzaldehydes, such as toluic aldehyde; naphthaldehyde, furfuraldehyde, glyoxal, acrolein, or compounds capable of engendering aldehydes such as para-formaldehyde and hexamethylene tetramine. The aldehydes can also be used in the form of a solution, such as the commercially available formalin.

While glycidyl ethers, such as derived from epichlorohydrin, are preferred, the epoxy novolak polymers can contain epoxyalkoxy groups of a greater number of carbon atoms. These are prepared by substituting for epichlorohydrin such representative corresponding chlorides or bromides of monohydroxy epoxyalkanes as 1-chloro-2, 3-epoxybutane, 2-chloro-3, 4-epoxybutane, 1-chloro-2-methyl-2, 3-epoxypropane, 1-bromo-2, 3-epoxypentane, 2-chloromethyl-1, 2-epoxybutane, 1-bromo-4-ethyl-2, 3-epoxypentane, 4-chloro-2-methyl-2, 3-epoxypentane, 1-chloro-2, 3-epoxyoctane, 1-chloro-2-methyl-2, 3-epoxyoctane, or 1-chloro-2, 3-epoxydecane.

Preferred epoxidized novolaks are represented by the formula: ##STR24## wherein n is at least about 0.2. The epoxidized novolak preferably is liquid and preferably n is less than about 1.5.

Examples of reaction products of glycidyl ethers with polymers terminated with reactive groups include reaction products of glycidyl ether of bisphenol-A and epichlorohydrin with telechelic prepolymers (i.e.--prepolymers having the reactive groups capable of producing strong elastomeric structures). The prepolymers are usually liquids. Examples of some polymer chains include polysulfide, polyisobutylene; polybutadiene, butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyamide, polyether and polyester. The reactive terminal groups include thiol, carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine and isocyanate. A preferred telechelic prepolymer is carboxyl terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile prepolymer. Also, suitable epoxy polymers include epoxidized unsaturated oils such as epoxidized linseed and soybean oil. Such preferably have an oxirane content of about 7 to about 8% by weight.

When the disubstituted cyclopentadiene derivatives are employed in admixture with other materials of the type discussed above as auxiliary binders, such as furfuryl alcohol and/or fulvenes, and/or furan polymers and/or epoxy polymers, such cyclopentadiene derivatives are generally employed in amounts of about 90 to about 50% by weight based upon the total amount of cyclopentadiene derivative and other materials defined above.

In addition, the compositions can contain a dialkyl ester of the formula:

    R.sub.1 OOC(CH.sub.2).sub.n COOR.sub.2

wherein each R₁ and R₂ individually is an alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms and n is a whole number integer of 0 to 4. The ester may be blended with the binder and/or sand and/or in conjunction with the acidic catalyst. Suitable esters include dimethyl oxalate, diethyl oxalate, dimethyl succinate, methylethyl succinate, methyl-n-propyl succinate, methyl isopropyl succinate, methyl-n-butyl succinate, diethyl succinate, ethyl-n-propyl succinate, diisopropyl succinate, dibutyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, methylethyl glutarate, methyl-n-butyl glutarate, methyl-isobutyl glutarate, diethyl glutarate, ethyl-n-propyl glutarate, diisopropyl glutarate, dibutyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, methylethyl adipate, methyl-n-propyl adipate, methyl-isopropyl adipate, diethyl adipate, dipropyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, dioctyl succinate, dioctyl adipate, octyl-nonyl glutarate, diheptyl glutarate, didecyl adipate, dicapryl adipate, dicapryl succinate, dicapryl glutarate, dilauryl adipate, dilauryl succinate, dilauryl glutarate and malonic acid esters.

Preferred esters for use are the oxalates; dimethyl glutarate such as available from Du Pont under the trade designation DBE-5; dimethyl adipate available from Du Pont under the trade designation DBE-6; and mixtures of such esters such as are available from Du Pont under the trade designation DBE. Other diluents can be employed if desired and include such groups of compounds as ketones such as acetone, methylethyl ketone and diisoamylketone; ketoacid esters such as ethyl acetoacetate and methyl acetoacetate; and other esters such as the cellosolve esters.

The diluent may generally be employed in an amount of from about 0.5 to 30% and preferably 1.0 to 10% by weight of the binder.

When preparing an ordinary sand-type foundry shape, the aggregate employed has a particle size large enough to permit sufficient porosity in the foundry shape to permit escape of volatiles from the shape during the casting operation. The term "ordinary sand-type foundry shapes" as used herein refers to foundry shapes which have sufficient porosity to permit escape of volatiles from it during the casting operation. Generally, at least about 80%, and preferably about 90%, by weight of aggregate employed for foundry shapes has an average particle size no smaller than about 150 mesh (Tyler screen mesh). The aggregate for foundry shapes preferably has an average particle size between about 50 and about 150 mesh (Tyler screen mesh). The preferred aggregate employed for ordinary foundry shapes is silica sand wherein at least about 70 weight percent, and preferably at least about 85 weight percent of the sand is silica. Other suitable aggregate materials include zircon, olivine, aluminosilicate sand, chromite sand and the like.

When preparing a shape for precision casting, the predominant portion, and generally at least about 80% of the aggregate, has an average particle size no larger than about 150 mesh (Tyler screen mesh), and preferably between 325 mesh and 200 mesh (Tyler screen mesh). Preferably at least about 90% by weight of the aggregate for precision casting applications has a particle size no larger than 150 mesh and preferably between 325 mesh and 200 mesh. The preferred aggregates employed for precision casting applications are fused quartz, zircon sands, magnesium silicate sands such as olivine, and aluminosilicate sands.

Shapes for precision casting differ from ordinary sand-type foundry shapes in that the aggregate in shapes for precision casting can be more densely packed than the aggregate in shapes for ordinary sand-type foundry shapes. Therefore, shapes for precision casting must be heated before being utilized to drive off volatizable material present in the molding composition. If the volatiles are not removed from a precision casting shape before use, vapor created during casting will diffuse into the molten melt, since the shape has a relatively low porosity. The vapor diffusion would decrease the smoothness of the surface of the precision cast article.

When preparing a refractory, such as a ceramic, the predominant portion and at least about 80% by weight of the aggregate employed has an average particle size under 200 mesh and preferably no larger than 325 mesh. Preferably at least about 90% by weight of the aggregate for a refractory has an average particle size under 200 mesh, and preferably no larger than 325 mesh. The aggregate employed in the preparation of refractories must be capable of withstanding the curing temperatures, such as above about 1500° F. which are needed to cause sintering for utilization.

Examples of some suitable aggregate employed for preparing refractories include the ceramics, such as refractory oxides, carbides, nitrides, and silicides, such as aluminum oxide, lead oxide, chromic oxide, zirconium oxide, silica, silicon carbide, titanium nitride, boron nitride, molybdenum disilicide, and carbonaceous material, such as graphite. Mixtures of the aggregates can also be used, when desired, including mixtures of metals and the ceramics.

Examples of some abrasive grains for preparing abrasive articles include aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, boron carbide, corundum, garnet, emery and mixtures thereof. The grit size is of the usual grades as graded by the United States Bureau of Standards. These abrasive materials and their uses for particular jobs are understood by persons skilled in the art and are not altered in the abrasive articles contemplated by the present invention. In addition, inorganic filler can be employed along with the abrasive grit in preparing abrasive articles. It is preferred that at least about 85% of the inorganic fillers has an average particle size no greater than 200 mesh. It is most preferred that at least about 95% of the inorganic filler has an average particle size no greater than 200 mesh. Some inorganic fillers include cryolite, fluorospar, silica and the like. When an organic filler is employed along with the abrasive grit, it is generally present in amounts from about 1 to about 30% by weight based upon the combined weight of the abrasive grit and inorganic filler.

In molding compositions, the aggregate constitutes the major constituent and the binder constitutes a relatively minor amount. In ordinary sand type foundry applications, the amount of binder is generally no greater than about 10% by weight and frequently within the range of about 0.5 to about 7% by weight based upon the weight of the aggregate. Most often, the binder content ranges from about 0.6 to about 5% by weight based upon the weight of the aggregate in ordinary sand type foundry shapes.

In molds and cores for precision casting application the amount of binder is generally no greater than about 40% by weight and frequently within the range of about 5 to about 20% by weight based upon the weight of the aggregate.

In refractories, the amount of binder is generally no greater than about 40% by weight and frequently within the range of about 5% to about 20% by weight based upon the weight of the aggregate.

In abrasive articles, the amount of binder is generally no greater than about 25% by weight and frequently within the range of about 5% to about 15% by weight based upon the weight of the abrasive material or grit.

A valuable additive to the binder compositions of the present invention in certain types of sand is a silane having the general formula: ##STR25## wherein R' is a hydrocarbon radical and preferably an alkyl radical of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and R is a hydrocarbon group such as a vinyl group or an alkyl radical; an alkoxy-substituted alkyl radical; or an alkyl-amine-substituted alkyl radical in which the alkyl groups have from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The aforesaid silane when employed in concentrations of about 0.05 to 2% based on the binder component of the composition improves the humidity resistance of the system.

Examples of some commercially available silanes are Dow Corning Z6040; Union Carbide A187 (gamma glycidoxy propyltrimethoxy silane); Union Carbide A1100 (gamma aminopropyltriethoxy silane); Union Carbide A-1120 [N-beta(aminoethyl)-gamma aminopropyltrimethoxy silane]; vinyltriethoxysilane; and Union Carbide A-186 (beta-3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)-ethyltrimethoxysilane.

When the compositions of the present invention are used to prepare ordinary sand-type foundry shapes, the following steps are employed:

1. Forming a foundry mix containing an aggregate (e.g. sand) and the bonding agent;

2. Introducing the foundry mix into a mold or pattern to thereby form the desired shape.

3. Allowing the shape to obtain a minimum strength in the mold; and

4. Thereby removing the shape from the mold or pattern allowing it to further cure thereby obtaining a hard solid cured foundry shape.

The foundry mix can optionally contain other ingredients such as iron oxide, ground flax fibers, wood cereals, pitch, refractory flours, and the like.

The systems of the present invention can be used for the casting of the relatively high melting point ferrous-type metals such as iron and steel which are poured at about 2500° F., as well as for the casting of the relatively low melting point nonferrous type metals such as aluminum, copper, and copper alloys including brass.

In order to further understand the present invention, the following non-limiting examples concerned with foundry are provided. All parts are by weight unless the contrary is stated. The foundry samples are cured by the so-called "no-bake" process.

Examples 1 to 8 represent preparations of disubstituted cyclopentadiene derivatives of the present invention:

EXAMPLE 1

Into a 3-neck flask equipped with a stirrer, condenser, thermometer and N₂ -inlet are added 112 grams of KOH dissolved in 250 ml of isopropanol and 150 ml of methanol. At room temperature, 347 grams of freshly distilled cyclopentadiene, which is kept at the temperature of dry ice/acetone, are added and the mixture is allowed to warm up to about 20° C. Next, 570 grams of methyl-amylketone are added at a rate of about 35 ml/minute. The reaction is exothermic and the temperature increases to about 70° C. After the addition is completed the temperature is held at 70° C. for about 75 minutes. Then 319 grams of acetone are added at the same addition rate and the mixture is allowed to react at 70° C. for another 22.5 hours. The mixture is then neutralized with 10% HCl under cooling and the layers are separated. The organic phase is then evaporated at 0.1 to 0.5 mm Hg/50° C. and is then filtered.

A red liquid is obtained which contains about 9.7% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylhexylidene), about 8.3% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-2(2')-(hept-2'-enyl) and about 41.6% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(hept-2'-enyl). The product has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 20.2 cps and a refractive index at 25° C. of about 1.5480.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 is repeated except that 501 grams of methylisobutylketone are employed in place of the methylamylketone. The product obtained is about 6.2% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5(1', 3'-dimethylbutylidene), about 10.2% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-2(2')-(4'-methylpent-2'-enyl) and about 34.1% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(4'-methylpent-2'-enyl). The product has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 15.3 cps and a refractive index at 25° C. of about 1.5512.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 1 is repeated except that 491 grams of cyclohexanone are employed in place of the methylamylketone. The product obtained is about 2.5% 1,3 cyclopentadiene-5-cyclohexylidene, about 31.3% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-2-(cyclohex-1'-enyl) and about 30.3% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2-(cyclohex-1'-enyl). The product has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 2000 cps and a refractive index at 25° C. of about 1.5842.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 1 is repeated except that 360.5 grams of methylethylketone are employed in place of the methylamylketone. The product obtained is about 4.3% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylpropylidene), about 8.0% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-2(2')-(but-2'-enyl) and about 22.6% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(but-2'-enyl). The product has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 57.6 cps and a refractive index at 25° C. of about 1.5773.

EXAMPLE 5

Example 1 is repeated except that 570 grams of methylisoamylketone are employed in place of the methylamylketone. The product obtained is about 6.8% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1', 4'-dimethylpentylidene), about 10.8% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-2(2')-(5'-methylpentylidene), about 10.8% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(5'-methylhex-2'-enyl). The product has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 74.0 cps and a refractive index at 25° C. of about 1.5468.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 1 is repeated except that the cyclopentadiene is reacted first with 290 grams of acetone and then with 627 grams of methylamylketone. The product obtained is about 4.6% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene), about 5.9% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylhexylidene), about 9.9% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(propenyl) and about 31.8% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylhexylidene)-2(2')-(propenyl). The product has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 100.7 cps and a refractive index of 25° C. of about 1.5564.

EXAMPLE 7

132 grams of cyclopentadiene dissolved in 100 ml isopropanol and 60 ml methanol containing 44.8 grams of KOH are refluxed with 700 ml acetone. After 24 hours most of the acetone is distilled off. The mixture then is worked up as described in Example 1. The product obtained is about 29.2% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(propenyl) and about 22.2% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2,3-di(2')-(propenyl).

EXAMPLE 8

340 grams of diisoamylketone are added to a solution of 139 grams of cyclopentadiene in 200 ml isopropanol and 120 ml methanol containing 112 grams of KOH at an addition rate of 50 ml/min. and are allowed to react for 3.5 hours at 70° C. Then, 128 grams of acetone are added and the temperature is held at 70° C. for another 20 hours. The mixture then is worked up as described in Example 1. The product obtained is about 3.3% 1,3-dicyclopentadiene-5-[1'-(3"-methylbutyl)-4'-methylpentylidene], about 6.7% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-2(5')-(2', 8'-dimethylnon-4'-enyl) and about 33.4% 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(5')-(2', 8'-dimethylnon-4'-enyl). The product has a viscosity at 25° C. of about 326.9 cps and a refractive index at 25° C. of about 1.5332.

EXAMPLES 9-22

Foundry sand mixes are prepared by admixing sand with the binder compositions shown in Tables 1 and 2 below. The resulting foundry sand mixes are then formed into standard AFS tensile test samples using the standard procedures. The cured samples are tested for tensile strength and hardness.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     A.                                                                               Disubstituted                                                                  cyclopentadiene derivative                                                                    9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16 17                               Derivative prepared according                                                                 64.4                                                            to Example 2                                                                   Derivative prepared according                                                                     64.4            64.4                                                                               69.3                                                                               99.0                                                                              64.4                             to Example 1                                                                   Derivative prepared according                                                                         64.4                                                    to Example 5                                                                   Derivative prepared according                                                                             64.4                                                to Example 7                                                                   Derivative prepared according  64.4                                            to Example 8                                                                 B.                                                                               Epoxy Resin                                                                    Epon 828       27.6                                                                               27.6                                                                               27.6                                                                               27.6                                                                               27.6    19.8   27.6                             D.E.R. 331 (Dow)                   27.6                                        Epoxidized Linseed Oil                 9.9                                     (Sherwin Williams)                                                           C.                                                                               Diethyloxalate 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4     4.4                                         DBE-2 (DuPont)                 4.4            4.4                            D.                                                                               TXIB           2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7        2.7                            E.                                                                               BHT (ppm)      500 460 500 500 500 460 500    500                            F.                                                                               Silane A-1102      0.9             0.9 1.0 1.0                                                                               0.9                              Silane A-186   0.9     0.9 0.9 0.9                                           G.                                                                               BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O Catalyst                                                                  9   10  11  12  13  14  15  16 17                               (17.5% Solution).sup.a     8.7                                                 BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O Catalyst                                                                      6.7             6.7 6.7 8.3                                                                               6.7                              (20% Solution).sup.b                                                           BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O Catalyst                                                                  10.1    10.1                                                    (23% Solution).sup.c                                                           BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O Catalyst   10.1                                            (25% Solution).sup.d                                                           WT/ST          44/75                                                                              7/38                                                                               33/57                                                                              11/59                                                                              30/60                                                                              7/34                                                                               10/44                                                                              8/30                                                                              21/111                           TENSILES, PSI                                                                   1 HR          222  97 203  93  93 123  50 87 19                                3 HR          257 201 263 155 153 193 138 80 47                               24 HR          273 169 273 147 292 168 193 63 93                             __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.a 17.5% BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O/41.25% Glycerine/41.25% PeP 450               .sup.b Eposand Kb (Shell, experimental catalyst)                               .sup.c 23% BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O/6.5% H.sub.2 O/35.25% Glycerine/35.25% PeP      450                                                                            .sup.d 25% BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O/6.5% H.sub.2 O/34.25% Glycerine/34.25% PeP      450                                                                      

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     A.                                                                               Disubstituted                                                                  cyclopentadiene                                                                               18  19  20  21  22                                              derivative                                                                     Derivative prep.                                                                              64.4                                                                               64.4                                                                               58.2                                                                               64.4                                                                               64.4                                            according to Example 1                                                       B.                                                                               Epoxy Resin                                                                    Epon 828       27.6                                                                               27.6    27.6                                                                               27.6                                            Polybutadiene Epoxide  36.0                                                    (Viking Chemical)                                                            C.                                                                               Solvent                                                                        Diethyloxalate 4.4 4.4 3.9     4.4                                             DEB-2 (DuPont)             4.4                                               D.                                                                               TXlB           2.7 2.7 2.5 2.7 2.7                                           E.                                                                               BHT (ppm)      500 500 500 500 500                                           F.                                                                               Silane                                                                         (Union Carbide)                                                                A-1102         0.9 0.9 0.8                                                     A-186                      0.9 0.9                                           G.                                                                               Catalyst                                                                       BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O (27.5%) in                                                                8.7                                                             Diethylene Glycol                                                              BF.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O (15%) in                                                   1:1 mixture of                                                                 Diethylene Glycol  10.1                                                        and TP 440                                                                     (BASF Wyandotte)                                                               BF.sub.3 2H.sub.2 O(17.5%) in                                                  1:1 mixture of                                                                                        8.7 8.7 8.7                                             Glycerin and PEP 450                                                           WT/ST          13/24                                                                              25/45                                                                              15/34                                                                              15/27                                                                              20/33                                           Tensiles, psi                                                                   1 HR.         158 152  45 178 176                                              3 HR.         208 277 127 260 247                                             24 HR          265 295 315 253 293                                           __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 23

To 1000 g of Wedron 5010 silica sand is added 1 g of a 20% BF₃.2H₂ O catalyst solution. After mixing the catalyst, 15 grams of the disubstituted cyclopentadiene derivative prepared according to Example 18 is mixed on the sand. The final composite is placed in molds at room temperature and allowed to cure. At the strip time, in about 30-45 minutes, the molded article may be removed and set aside, where additional curing continues. A stepcone mold prepared this way is used to pour gray iron. The iron is examined and shows very slight erosion, minor veining and no gas defects. The casting has a good surface.

EXAMPLE 24

Standard tensile briquette test cores known as "dogbones" are prepared using a catalyst and binder composition as described in Example 23. The cores are used in shakeout studies with aluminum castings. Seven dogbones are arranged in a mold. The mold is designed to provide hollow castings having a metal thickness of approximately one-quarter inch on all sides. An opening at the end of the casting is provided for removal of the core from the casting. Molten aluminum at approximately 1300° F. is poured into the mold. After cooling, the aluminum castings are removed from the mold for shakeout testing. After mechanically loosening the sand with a pointed file, the core is easily eliminated. Examination of the casting shows a good surface.

EXAMPLE 25

A Foundry sand mix is prepared by admixing Wedron Silica 5010 silica sand with a binder composition containing 70% by weight of the disubstituted cyclopentadiene derivative prepared according to Example 1, and about 30% by weight of Epon 828. The amount of binder is about 1.5% based on solids. The composition also contains about 1% based on the binder of the Union Carbide Silane A-1102. The resulting foundry sand mixes are then formed into standard AFS tensile test samples using the standard procedures. The curing process is a cold box method wherein the catalyst employed is with BF₃ gas being blown in for 4 seconds followed by a 120 seconds N₂ gas purge. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

EXAMPLE 26

Example 25 is repeated except that the binder does not contain any Epon 828. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                                   TENSILES, PSI                                                        EXAMPLE     1 HR        3 HR    24 HR                                          ______________________________________                                         25          63           72      58                                            26          30          100     121                                            ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition containing at least one derivative of the formula ##STR26## wherein each R₁ and R₂ individually is a hydrocarbon containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a hydrocarbon containing one or more oxygen bridges in the chain and containing up to 10 carbon atoms, or a furyl group; or are interconnected and together with the carbon atom to which they are connected form a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group or one of R₁ or R₂ is hydrogen and wherein each R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ individually is hydrogen or methyl or ##STR27## and provided that a maximum of only one such R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ is methyl and provided that one such R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ is ##STR28## wherein each R₇ and R₈ individually is a hydrocarbon group containing 1-10 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon containing one or more oxygen bridges in the chain and containing up to 10 carbon atoms, or are interconnected and together with the carbon atom to which they are connected form a cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon group; or one of R₇ or R₈ is hydrogen; or isomer thereof, or prepolymer thereof, or mixture thereof; and a effective catalytic amount of an acidic catalyst having a pka of about 4 or less.
 2. A molding composition which comprises a major amount of aggregate and an effective bonding amount up to about 40% by weight of the aggregate of the composition of claim
 1. 3. The molding composition of claim 3 which is a foundry composition containing up to about 10% by weight of the aggregate of the composition of claim
 1. 4. A process for the fabrication of molded articles which comprises:(a) mixing aggregate with a bonding amount up to about 40% by weight based upon the weight of the aggregate of a composition of claim 1; (b) introducing the composition obtained from step (a) into a pattern; (c) hardening the composition in the pattern to become self-supporting; and (d) thereafter removing the shaped article of step (c) from the pattern and allowing it to further cure, thereby obtaining a hardened, solid, cured, molded article.
 5. A process for the fabrication of molded articles which comprises:(a) mixing aggregate with a bonding amount of up to about 40% by weight based upon the weight of the aggregate of at least one derivative of claim 1; (b) introducing the composition obtained from step (a) into a pattern; (c) hardening the composition in the pattern to become self-supporting by passing an acidic gas through the composition; and (d) thereafter removing the shaped article of step (c) from the pattern and allowing it to further cure, thereby obtaining a hardened, solid, cured, molded article.
 6. The molding composition of claim 3 wherein said aggregate is sand.
 7. The molding composition of claim 3 wherein said acidic catalyst is a Lewis acid.
 8. The molding composition of claim 3 wherein said acidic catalyst is BF₃.
 9. The molding composition of claim 3 wherein said binder is present in amounts of about 0.5 to about 7% by weight based upon the aggregate.
 10. The molding composition of claim 3 wherein said binder is present in amounts of about 0.6 to about 5% by weight based upon the aggregate.
 11. The molding composition of claim 3 which further contains about 0.05 to 2% based on the binder component of the composition a silane having the formula: ##STR29## wherein R¹ is a hydrocarbon radical.
 12. The molding composition of claim 11 which further contains a member selected from the group of fulvenes, furfuryl, alcohol, furan prepolymer, epoxy polymer, or mixtures thereof.
 13. The composition of claim 3 wherein each R₇ and R₈, individually, is methyl or ethyl.
 14. The composition of claim 3 wherein at least one of R₇ and R₈ differs from R₁ and R₂.
 15. The composition of claim 3 wherein at least one of R₁ and R₂ is methyl and the other of R₁ and R₂ is an alkyl of 1-5 carbon atoms.
 16. The composition of claim 3 wherein both R₁ and R₂ are methyl.
 17. The composition of claim 18 wherein one of R₇ or R₈ is methyl.
 18. The composition of claim 11 wherein one of R₇ or R₈ is methyl.
 19. The composition of claim 3 wherein said isomer is represented by the formula: ##STR30## wherein one of R₃, R₄, R₅, or R₆ is ##STR31##
 20. The composition of claim 3 wherein said derivative includes at least one member selected from the group of 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(butyl-2'-enyl); 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(5'-methylhex-2'-enyl); 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylhexylidene)-2(2')-(propenyl); 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2,3-di-(2')-(propenyl); 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(hept-2'-enyl); 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(2')-(4'-methylpent-2'-enyl); 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2-(cyclohex-1'-enyl); and 1,3-cyclopentadiene-5-(1'-methylethylidene)-2(5')-(2',8'-dimethylnon-4'-enyl). 